Campus Catch-Up

Student Federation of the University of Ottawa President Seamus Wolfe was arrested on Feb. 2 for swearing at a police officer, the campus newspaper the Fulcrum reported on Feb. 3.

De-registered University of Ottawa student Marc Kelly was arrested for trespassing at the Student Appeal Centre in the Unicentre, the University of Ottawa’s student centre, on Feb. 2 after the police received a complaint.

Wolfe arrived on the scene to try and dissuade the officer from arresting Kelly by showing him the lease to the building to show it was student union property, not University property.

While Wolfe was retrieving the lease, officers arrested Kelly and refused to give their rationale.

Wolfe became angry and swore in front of the officer leading to his arrest that day.

Wolfe will appear in court on March 4.

— Rachel Kuper

U of T renews Naylor’s term

On Jan. 21 the University of Toronto Governing Council decided President David Naylor will serve for another three years, campus newspaper the Varsity reported on Jan. 25.

The decision has been met with opposition from student groups, especially the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) and the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students.

Students said they are unhappy with his term as president and the presidential review process.

They are frustrated with the review process because the committee didn’t ask for written input and because Naylor has a strong relationship with the chair of the council.

UTSU vice-president (university affairs) told the Varsity that Naylor had overseen substantial investment losses, student arrests and a corporatization of the campus.

During the review on Jan. 21, students held signs saying “Nay on Naylor” and a report card recommending his “expulsion.” Naylor has served as president since 2005.

— Rachel Kuper

Fire at U of Manitoba

A fire at the University of Manitoba on Jan. 22 caused $30,000 worth of damage, CBC reported on Jan. 22.

The fire broke out in a residence room of the catholic St John’s College of the University of Manitoba campus.

Approximately 100 people were evacuated to the college’s chapel but no one was hurt.

Fire officials believe the fire started in the residence’s kitchen.

— Rachel Kuper

Brandon University bans water bottles

Brandon University in Brandon, Man. became the third university in Canada to become water bottle-free.

The decision was made at the Brandon University Student Union Annual General Meeting in November, campus newspaper the Manitobian reported on Jan. 27.

President of the Brandon University Student Union Stephen Montague told the Manitobian the University will be upgrading water fountains, installing new water-bottle filling taps and new implementing signage to direct students to the water fountains.

He said the University will also give reusable water bottles to first-year students and sell them for $2.50.

The Canadian Federation of Students is pushing its member institutions to become water bottle free.

The University of Winnipeg became the first university in Canada to go water bottle free in March 2009 by referendum.

— Rachel Kuper

McGill launches Quebec Centre for Biodiversity

McGill University launched the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science (QCBS) on Monday in honour of the United Nations declaring 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity.

International Year of Biodiversity is meant to celebrate biodiversity of all life on Earth. Partnering with the Montreal Botanical Garden and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Centre will bring together over 60 scientists from eight universities across Quebec.

Scientists, the government and residents of Quebec will use the Centre for research and training in promotion of biodiversity science.